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"They don't do a very good job of taking care of heaven, do they Mummy"?

Children are our most wise, uncomplicated little philosophical and prophetic teachers. Two words if you asked them to repeat, I'm sure they would give you that huh' look. But, they are indeed masters at bringing these words to life whilst adding a meaning that most adults would never dream up in a lifetime.

My little Nani, is my six year old granddaughter. She is one of these children that add brightness, love and laughter to every moment of her day. Excitement and all things good seem to be in her every thought as she dances around the house busily going about her life with an almost excited, happy, haphazard, reckless abandonment. But she is safe in her environment having two parents that keep her safe, loved, nurtured and cherished.

Giggles are a thousand a dozen on a moment by moment basis. Setting the table means running
outside rain, hail or shine to find that beautiful flower or if these are non-existent a big leaf will do, to be the perfect centerpiece for the table. Her every thought is motivated to add sunshine and laughter to all that she does.

Her latest philosophical statement makes me smile each time I think of it. I think it's a 'Priceless Gem' that should be shared.
My daughter was taking a meal to a family that had been most unwell with an awful flu. This was right up Nani's alley as helping the sick also rates highly on her agenda. The route to this family's house would be one that my daughter would not travel that often.

After doing a few household tasks and serving the meal, my daughter set to traveling back home, thinking to herself just how quiet Nani had been whilst visiting their friends. She looked across to see Nani looking as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
It was then that my daughter heard her say in such a sad forlorn voice, "Mummy, they don't take very good care of heaven, do they"?

Mummy was quite perplexed as she had no idea what Nani was talking about. Slowing the car down to a stop, she asked her what she meant. My daughter thinking, that Heaven and death are one of the biggies, topic wise, for our children, and this being the very first time Nani had openly made mention of it.
Mummy braced herself hoping she would have the much needed wisdom to puddle through this one.

This beautiful blue eyed, curly haired philosophical little prophet pointed to the cemetery, saying, "Well that is Heaven, because I know that's where you go when you die". "And, just have a look mummy, Heaven is such a mess."
My daughter sat there looking at the broken headstones, the dead flowers in dirty vases, and the litter that had scattered everywhere. Yes, if Nani construed this as heaven it was indeed a mess. How could she argue with logic like that?

I assure you that there was very relieved little girl that day as her mummy explained to her that this was not Heaven; that a cemetery was just a place where your body is placed when you die.
Nani breathed a huge sigh of relief, giggling at herself and I would say the rest of the world, safe in the knowledge that, the messy site before her eyes wasn't Heaven after all, but she thought they should take some time to clean it up anyway.
I sincerely hope my daughter doesn't drive the route that has the Crematorium situated on it, any day too soon.
Out of the mouth's of babes!

Learn more about this author, Carmen Spectra.
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